Tuesday, July 16, 2013

9:39 AM

Wisconsin's U.S. senators have introduced a Senate version of legislation to continue the current weight limits on U.S. Highway 41.

The highway is set to become part of the Interstate highway system next year, creating an 80,000-pound limit on trucks on the road. The measure from U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, would grandfather in the road's current 97,000-pound limit.

GOP U.S. Reps. Ribble of Sherwood and Tom Petri of Fond du Lac offered the bill in the House last month.

"It is crucial Congress approve this effort by the end of this year, before the highway becomes part of the federal Interstate Highway System in 2014," Baldwin said in a statement. "In order to grow our ‘Made in Wisconsin’ economy, we must provide businesses with the quality transportation system they need to move their goods to market."